Oregon Ducks At A Glance: Softball and Track and Field on a Roll, Women’s Basketball Struggles

Two teams this weekend were on a roll. Oregon Softball swept the Mary Nutter Classic in Palm Springs. Oregon Track and Field Men and Women had a weekend of ‘bests’, and Oregon Women’s Basketball is looking to end the season on a positive note.

Oregon Softball started out hot on Friday night beating Virginia(5-6) 13-0 in five innings.  The Ducks had hits from all nine hitting positions on offense, and Senior Starting Pitcher Jessica Moore. In three innings of work she allowed three hits and stuck out four.

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Saturday was a doubleheader day for the Ducks. They face Cal Poly(3-0), who was looking for their third straight upset of Top 20 teams to start the season. Oregon did not give it to them, winning 2-1. UO Pitcher Sheridan Hawkins struck out one, and allowed a hit in six innings of work. Jessica Moore came in to close out the game for her first save of the season.

Sunday’s Double dip to wrapup to five game set Oregon beat UNLV 4-2. In the finale the Ducks took care of San Diego State(6-7)  by a score of 3-1. Jessica Moore led the charge and raised her record to 7-2 by striking out ten, walking two and allowing one hit.

For the series the Ducks are hot on offense, two starters hit .400 for the weekend,  Senior Second Baseman Kaylan Howard and Junior Shortstop Courtney Ceo. Four others topped .300.

For the weekend Senior Pitcher Jessica Moore pitched to a 1.31 ERA with ninteen strikeouts, with four walks and seven hits. She held opponents to a .131.

Oregon Softball next heads to Orlando to play in the Citrus Classic (March 1st-3rd)

Oregon opens play vs. fellow WCWS returnee LSU and NCAA regional veteran Long Island on Friday, then faces Boston College and Temple on Saturday, and a third NCAA returnee in Michigan and Pittsburgh on Sunday.

Women’s Track and Field with a Big Weekend at MPSF Championships

Oregon Men’s and Women’s Track and Field looking to continue momentum heading towards the NCAA Championships. The Ducks Phyllis Francis took the 400 meters and broke the facility record at the Dempsey Indoor Facility by more than a second coming in at 52.03 – she hit the tape fifteen meters ahead of her closest competition.

Jun 25, 2012; Eugene, OR, USA; Elijah Greer of Oregon places sixth in the 800m in 1:45.40 in the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Trials at Hayward Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports

In the 60 meters two Ducks finished 1-2. English Gardner won the event in 7.24 seconds and Jenna Prandini placed second in 7.34 seconds.

"“We competed really well. There were lots of highlights, lots of personal bests.” Robert Johnson on the Weekend"

One race that is always fun to watch is the 3000 meters. Unlike leading the race the whole way the winner, a Duck, trailed and picked up the pace to win in the end. Alexi Pappas won in a personal best 9.07.97.

The Men also had a big weekend with Elijah Greer ran the fastest 400 meters in the nation this year in 1.46.73

Oregon Head Coach Robert Johnson was pleased overall with the weekend.

"“There were so many standout performances today. From the mile and the 60s to the 400s and the 800s, the 3,000 and then the relays.  The guys in the multis did a great job with PRs too. It was a good weekend for the Ducks.”"

In other news, Oregon’s National Championship Cross Country Team added an academic honor to their list of accomplishments.

Oregon Women’s Basketball Continues to Struggle

February 24, 2013; Stanford, CA, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Paul Westhead reacts against the Stanford Cardinal during the second half at Maples Pavilion. Stanford defeated Oregon 74-50. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

It’s hard to build winning momentum when you continue to face better teams. The Ducks faced 6th ranked Cal (77-55 loss) and 4th ranked Stanford((74-50 loss) this weekend. There was a bright spot on Sunday afternoon against the Cardinal in Freshman Jill Alleyne who had her tenth double double of the season with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Stanford and a rebounding advantage 55-45 for the game. It was Stanford’s 12th straight victory on the season and Head Coach Paul Westhead has to be looking for the season to be over soon – and it will be.

Oregon faces Colorado(March 1st) and Utah(March 3rd) to close out the regular season. The Lady Ducks are 4-24 on the Season and 2-14 in the Pac 12.

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Justin Phillips is Sports Reporter for Newsradio 1120 KPNW in Eugene, Oregon.